PHOENIX (AP) — As the approach to the midterm elections intensifies, Republican candidates in key battleground states are carefully navigating a delicate balance between loyalty to former President Donald Trump and the convenience most voters desire from mail voting. Trump has publicly condemned voting by mail, labeling it as a pathway to fraud without substantial evidence to support his claims.
U.S. Representative Andy Biggs, one of the candidates endorsed by Trump in Arizona's governor race, has openly questioned mail voting but stopped short of endorsing its complete elimination. His opponent, developer Karrin Taylor Robson, also backed by Trump, remains non-committal on the issue, demonstrating the tension between party allegiance and voter preferences.
In Arizona, where a significant percentage of voters utilize mail ballots, Republicans are concerned about the potential backlash from constituents who favor this method of voting. Trump’s criticism of mail voting is compounded by the state’s political landscape, which has recently seen close races, such as the narrow defeat of Trump in 2020, prompting concerns among GOP strategists.
Republican consultant Barrett Marson acknowledged that mail voting had historically benefited GOP candidates, particularly in the recent 2024 election where Republicans expanded their legislative majority. Despite Trump's stance, the success of a mail voting strategy in previous elections adds a layer of complexity to GOP candidates' positions.
In neighboring Nevada, similar dynamics are at play. Governor Joe Lombardo, while endorsing Trump, has crafted a more independent profile that engages with moderates in a state where mail voting is prevalent. His lack of outright endorsement for ending mail voting reflects strategic caution as close elections are commonplace in Nevada.
Both states showcase the broader GOP challenge of aligning with Trump’s controversial postures while still appealing to voters who appreciate the benefits of mail-in voting. Candidates like Biggs and Taylor Robson walk a fine line as they campaign, illustrating a party wrestling with the implications of Trump’s rhetoric on a fundamental democratic process.
U.S. Representative Andy Biggs, one of the candidates endorsed by Trump in Arizona's governor race, has openly questioned mail voting but stopped short of endorsing its complete elimination. His opponent, developer Karrin Taylor Robson, also backed by Trump, remains non-committal on the issue, demonstrating the tension between party allegiance and voter preferences.
In Arizona, where a significant percentage of voters utilize mail ballots, Republicans are concerned about the potential backlash from constituents who favor this method of voting. Trump’s criticism of mail voting is compounded by the state’s political landscape, which has recently seen close races, such as the narrow defeat of Trump in 2020, prompting concerns among GOP strategists.
Republican consultant Barrett Marson acknowledged that mail voting had historically benefited GOP candidates, particularly in the recent 2024 election where Republicans expanded their legislative majority. Despite Trump's stance, the success of a mail voting strategy in previous elections adds a layer of complexity to GOP candidates' positions.
In neighboring Nevada, similar dynamics are at play. Governor Joe Lombardo, while endorsing Trump, has crafted a more independent profile that engages with moderates in a state where mail voting is prevalent. His lack of outright endorsement for ending mail voting reflects strategic caution as close elections are commonplace in Nevada.
Both states showcase the broader GOP challenge of aligning with Trump’s controversial postures while still appealing to voters who appreciate the benefits of mail-in voting. Candidates like Biggs and Taylor Robson walk a fine line as they campaign, illustrating a party wrestling with the implications of Trump’s rhetoric on a fundamental democratic process.
